On December 3, 2018, after serving 28 years in law enforcement, Gerald M. Baker was sworn in as the 54th Sheriff of Wake County. Sheriff Baker, a native of Raleigh, North Carolina, is a distinguished leader, tireless advocate, and a hard worker for the community and the men and women who serve in the Wake County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Baker is focused and dedicated to rebuilding the Sheriff’s Office on following the tenets of accountability, integrity, transparency and consistency. He understands these principles are conducive to community policing and ethical standards of conduct. His goal is to create a leaner, more effective office to better serve all residents of Wake County.

Sheriff Baker joined the Sheriff’s Office in 1991, under the administration of the late Sheriff, John H. Baker Jr., who served as the County’s first African-American Sheriff. During his 28 years as a Deputy, Baker has developed a deep understanding of the operations of the office, serving in several capacities, Courtroom Operations, Detention Transport, Patrol Division, and Criminal Investigations.

Sheriff Gerald Baker retired from Wake County in 2017 as a Sergeant, after 28 years of service, and devoted his attention to his campaign for Sheriff. He is a product of a close-knit family that understands the value of a good education. He is a proud graduate of Saint Augustine’s University, in Raleigh, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Management. Sheriff Baker also completed the N.C. State Administrative Officers’ Management Program in 2001.

Sheriff Baker is a member of several local organizations dedicated to improving the lives of citizens throughout Wake County. Sheriff Baker is a member of Rush Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in Raleigh. When he is not in his office, you can either find him spoiling his only grandchild or relaxing on the beach.